Share this:

Stephanie Ortiz, of Fullerton, pouts as she hugs Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sep 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

It’s going to be even tougher now to be a bug at Disneyland, now that the cute “a bug’s land” at Disney California Adventure is being demolished to make way for a new Marvel superhero experience. Tuesday was the last day that the land was open for business, with its cute caterpillar, ant and ladybug-themed rides, where guests could feel like they were tiny insects as they walked beneath giant clover plants in a garden environment.

It’s slated to be shut down Wednesday, Sept. 5, to provide space for a new Marvel land opening in 2020, although a few elements from the insect kingdom will live on.

Disney officials confirmed Tuesday that the Flik’s Flyers hot air balloon ride, which lifts people and spins them around in a circle, will be flown to Italy to be redesigned, after which it will become the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind at Pixar Pier, themed after the hit 2015 “Inside Out” movie.

Visitors leave A Bug’s Land during its last day of operation at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sep 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors ride Heimlich Chew Chew Train during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sep 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sound

The gallery will resume inseconds

Guardians of the Galaxy Ð Mission: BREAKOUT! is seen towering over A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation for Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Paint the Night Parade passes the exit to A Bug’s Land the day before the land closes at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3, 2018. A new Marvel-themed area is scheduled to replace the land sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Raili Ballentine laughs as she rides Francis’ Ladybug Boogie on the final day of operation of A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Giant bugs hang on to light posts at A Bug’s Land closes at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Stephanie Ortiz, of Fullerton, pouts as she hugs Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sep 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flik’s Flyers at A Bug’s Land during the final day of operation for the land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flik’s Flyers at A Bug’s Land during the final day of operation for the land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors ride Flik’s Flyers during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Guardians of the Galaxy Ð Mission: BREAKOUT! is seen towering over A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation for Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 3, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors walk through a giant food box at A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Paint the Night Parade passes the exit to A Bug’s Land the day before the land closes at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3, 2018. A new Marvel-themed area is scheduled to replace the land sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is seen towering over A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation for Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3., 2018, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jessica Ortiz, standing with her son, Jason Ortiz, says goodbye to Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jessica Ortiz, standing with her son, Jason Ortiz, says goodbye to Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is seen towering over A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation for Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Alyssa Chapman, of Orlando, hugs Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flik’s Flyers spins in this long exposure the night before A Bug’s Land closes at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Sept 3, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A Bug’s Land during the last day of operation at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy will anchor a new Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jessica Ortiz says goodbye to Flik during the last day of operation for A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, Sept 4, 2018. The land is being replaced with a Marvel-themed area slated to open in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Guardians of the Galaxy Ð Mission: BREAKOUT! towers over A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Guardians of the Galaxy Ð Mission: BREAKOUT! towers over A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Heimlich Chew Chew Train winds its way through snacks, including a watermelon, in A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Visitors to A Bug’s Land enter Flik’s Fun Fair through a giant cracker box at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Flik’s Fun Fair welcomes visitors in A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

A pencil-shaped light in A Bug’s Land at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Tuesday, Mar 20, 2018. Disney is closing A Bug’s Land in late summer to make way for a new Super Hero-themed land that is scheduled to open sometime in 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

And Disney plans to donate pieces of the defunct insect world to local nonprofits. For example, the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo is slated to get items from Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, including the Cookie Box animal crackers in the shapes of a bear, elephant, gorilla, lion, rhino and sheep. Pretend City Children’s Museum will receive items from candy valley at Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train. Community Action Partnership of OC will get benches and the entry windmill, and the Anaheim Arts Council, items from Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies such as the cotton swab, crayons and mirrors.

Although cute and charming, the land was always the domain of small children, with none of the innovative ride technology for which Disney is famous. It had been hurriedly built with so-called “off the shelf” ride technology shortly after Disney California Adventure opened in 2001, and visitors complained about a lack of fun rides.

Perhaps tellingly, on the land’s last morning, there were none of the crowds that would typically be drawn to the farewell of a Disneyland attraction. At 10:30 a.m., there were even empty seats on Francis’ Ladybug Boogie.

Yet the area still has its fans, including Jessica Ortiz, 57, of Fullerton, and her two children, Jason, 22 and Stephanie, 24, who were there to say goodbye.

Jason Ortiz said he was just watching the movie “A Bug’s Life,” on which the land was based the other day, and has enjoyed the theming inside the land since he was a little boy.

Disney shut down the “It’s Tough to Be A Bug!” theater in March, and now Flik’s Fun Fair including Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Flik’s Flyers, Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie and the Princess Dot Puddle Park splash fountain are slated to be shuttered.

Visitors have been divided over whether the land should remain to provide entertainment for small children or whether it was too limiting with little to do for the older set.

Andrea Brannon of Florence, Ariz., and her brother Jack Tate, visiting the resort, said they made sure to be in “a bug’s land” for the last day.

“We brought four teenagers, and three of them ran over and got on the rides without asking as soon as we got here,” Brannon said. “We’re going to be back here Thursday, and we’ll be sad we can’t come.”

Disney officials have released few details about the Marvel land they plan to build after the bugs’ domain is demolished, except that it will involve Spider-man. The company plans to simultaneously also build Marvel lands in Hong Kong and Paris.

Marla Jo Fisher was a workaholic hard news reporter before she adopted two children from foster care at age 46, picked up a scruffy dog along the way and somehow managed to keep them all alive, at least so far. She now writes the Frumpy Middle-Age Mom humor column that appears in the Orange County Register weekly. Due to her status as the cheapest person alive, she also writes about deals and bargains for the Register, including her Cheapo Travel column which also runs in newspapers around the country. When she's not having a nervous breakdown, she's usually traveling somewhere cheaply and writing about it.